The Rockies have re-signed Drew Butera to a minor league deal, Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reports (Twitter link). Butera will received an invitation to Colorado’s big league Spring Training camp. Yesterday, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding tweeted about the possibility of Butera rejoining the Rockies on a non-guaranteed deal.
This marks the third time that the Rox have acquired Butera, after initially picking him up from the Royals in an August 2018 trade and then signing him to a minor league deal just prior to Opening Day after Butera was released by the Phillies near the end of their spring camp. Butera appeared in only 16 Major League games and received 49 plate appearances, his lowest totals in either category since 2013.
Colorado has been on the lookout for catching help this offseason, though Butera is more veteran depth than a real answer to that need. The 36-year-old journeyman has never been an offensive force (.200/.257/.297 over 1394 career plate appearances), though he has been long been considered a solid hand behind the plate.
Career -3.2 WAR. This guy is like Jeff Mathis on Xanax. Some guys just stick, while other guys just as bad don’t. Hell if i know.
Supposedly he’s a good defensive catcher. I’ve personally havn’t seen him play so I don’t know
There’s a reason — good teams don’t want to roster him and play him
Wanted him to be the Mets backup.
This move could be more about the farm systems growth, than having an all star catcher. Drew is a good clubhouse presence and also can be a good mentor to the kids coming up.
Hope this doesn’t mean they’re out on Robinson Chirinos. Butera is willing to play in the minors, and I assume the Rockies are paying him pretty well to do so. He’s most likely being brought in as a third catcher to call up in case of injury.